Hi boobi p, sorry for taking so long to reply. You're right, I don't need to cover it. I found a longer trough planter box. Im thinking instead of the blue pots I already have, I'll get 2 taller square pots.what do you think? The Italian cypress will probably be too formal though. What do you think of hibiscus in the longer planter. Any ideas for the end ones? It's full sun in Australia do it needs to be drought tolerant also. Maybe agave, but they'll be too structured for a shrubby centre

Leslie - catching up to you and your new "country house" . .. had an idea regarding the institutional side that you may want to consider .. one of the upper windows might be charming with a very mediterranean approach of sideless sunbrella awning on a simple wrought iron bracket over the single upper . .. landscaping is filling in.

Hi, atxhan100. I agree with Rina and sheshore. This looks like the perfect space for a pergola & trellis with climbing flowers. I recommend a tall pergola that runs the the width or 3/4 of the space. Whether you are permitted to add atop your existing wall or add a free-standing pergola, I suggest lining the posts up with the vertical columns of your wall so you maintain the rhythm of the existing vertical lines. Climbing flowers & fruit that may work in your area: Bougainvillea, Wisteria, a fast-growing vine with beautiful flowers i.e. Trumpet Creeper, or even grape varieties such as 'Thompson Seedless' which is known to grow well in arid climates. A bench or solid wood chairs may also provide you with more poolside entertaining space, act as visual layering to add depth, and function as a place for additional plants & sculpture. And if you choose to remove the tree, a palm or cactus or from your area, with solar-uplights underneath for low-key, night lighting would be a smart addition. Here are some trellis & pergola photos for reference: [houzz=] [houzz=] [houzz=]

So, kind friends, my landscape-architect friend is coming for Labor Day, but I'm still brainstorming, so what do you think of this? (1) yes replace CLFence w/ white lattice and nice trellis entry, but mainly (2) move big planter with statue to side under mulberry, balancing the Mahonia on the right (toughest plant they cd sell me at my request), and make rustic stepping-stone pathway up to very top near fence, then pave that little area and put bench or 2 ice-cream-parlor-sized chairs and table? Balance in front of right hand side Mahonia by cutting maple down to graduating heights from path, with plants on top of each trunk, or maybe plants on two and interesting topiary frame currently on top of too-tall trunk; (3) stick 3 potted plants, maybe all in one planter (have silver one on hand decorated with green leaves & little red berries) on top of grill for when not in use (usually!). (4) Consider same white lattice fence ()slightly higher than current) to replace current natural lattice fence in back of new furniture OR replace natural lattice with garden wall in interesting color such as I've been seeing on this site, maybe with short lattice strip across top. (5) I'll go out this weekend and get a patio table umbrella to see if it helps. If not, I expect I'll be stuck paying at least $5K for a pergola. I plan to be in this house for the duration, but for the sake of resale value, I wonder wd it be worthwhile to design pergola so that it's basically just the underpinnings of a roof, in case the next owner wants to cover it. Comments, anyone?